A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope's face was calm as she looked at Lisette. "So what?"

"What do you mean, ‘so what'?” Lisette had expected Calliope to snap, maybe get flustered or angry. Instead, Calliope just coolly shot the question right back at her, which only made Lisette's face tighten in frustration.

"So I'm pathetic, so what?" Calliope shrugged. "You think you're better off than me? Sure, Zelda dotes on you right now, but what does Zelda even have to give?"

Calliope's voice was steady, almost bored. "I'm nothing like you. Zelda doesn't like me, but I have the company. I have my husband's love. And I have money."

"The company? If I want it, I take it. If I want to keep it, I keep it. You? You get nothing."

"Oh, and Monty and the others are always trying to win me over. You know that, right? They don't love me, but they still try to get on my good side. In fact, I think they're planning to freeze you out for my sake."

Calliope gave a little shrug, as if this was all trivial. "Honestly? If anyone here is the pitiful one, it's you."

She ticked off the points on her fingers. "You're broke. Worse, you're in debt. Nobody at the office even likes you. Who besides Zelda would even bother with you?"

waste time worrying about

words hit like a slap. Lisette just stood there, her face turning a sickly

she knew. The old Calliope would just put up with everything, never fighting back, barely saying

Calliope was

worth much. Zelda herself had nothing to give. What Lisette needed was Monty and the others on her side, that was the only way she'd

now, Calliope was in charge. Calliope could fire her, just like that. Lisette didn't

in hoping

she walked down the hall, she muttered curses under her breath. Not too loud,

the corner, she ran into Valerian. He was carrying a little box from the bakery-a cupcake, by the smell of

up. She assumed the treat was for her, but Valerian just nodded hello and started

are you off to? Is that cupcake for someone?" She forced

at her. "Oh, this? It's for Callie.

shrug. "You got work to

there..." she said, kicious. I